Package spring group and snubber



.v Aug. 20, 1957 J. c. SETTIJES PACKAGE SPRING GROUP AND SNUBBER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Filed Oct. 19, 1954 INVENTOR Jflflfi c e,

ATTORNEY 1957 J. c. SETTLES 2,803,452

PACKAGE SPRING GROUP AND SNUBBER v Filed Oct. 19, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2 J. C. SETTLES PACKAGE SPRING'GROUP AND SNUBBER.

Aug. 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 19. 1954 United States all PACKAGE SPRING GROUP AN D SNUBBER James C. Settles, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to TheBnckeye Steel Castings Company, Columbus, 0121:)

The present invention relates to a combined spring group and friction absorbing damping mechanism for railway car trucks to snub the recoil action of the springs which support the load imposed on the bolster of the truck.

An object of the present invention is to provide a package spring group and snubbing mechanism wherein the relative moving parts of the damping mechanism have maximum facial engagement and are constructed to provide for stabilization of the snubbing parts during compression and release of the device without reducing the facial engagement of the friction shoes with associated friction faces of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring group having damping action and forming a package unit providing for efiective control of the recoil of the load springs and to provide large friction and wearing surfaces on parts of the damping mechanism without encroachment on the space available in a side frame of a railway car truck for accommodating the load supporting springs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improvements in a package unit type of spring group and snubbing mechanism for retaining the friction shoes in retracted positions during assembly of the device.

Other objects and features of the invention will be appreciated and become apparent to those skilled in the art relating to railway car trucks and the suspension of the loads thereon as the present disclosure proceeds and upon consideration of the following detailed description and the annexed drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a spring group and damping mechanism embodying the invention with the right hand portion of the top member broken away and with some parts of the damping mechanism omitted.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the assembled spring group and damping mechanism taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the top and bottom members in assembled relationship with the load supporting springs and parts of the damping mechanism removed and taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom member.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 with the lower portion representing a side elevation of the bottom member.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the top member.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9 with the lower portion showing the top member in side elevation.

Fig. 11 in the left hand portion is an end elevational :3 view of the top member while the right hand portion is a section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of one of the wedges or friction shoes.

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the friction shoe taken in the direction of the arrow 13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an inverted plan View of the friction shoe.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1515 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the pins employed for retaining a friction shoe in the retracted position.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one lop member of a pair that may be used for holding the unit in an assembled condition and Fig. 18 is a similar view of an apertured strap for this purpose.

A spring group and damping mechanism embodying the invention includes a top member A and a bottom member B with load supporting springs positioned between these members. One helical spring 16 is arranged at each corner of the assembly as shown in Fig. 1 and a further coil 17 may be positioned within certain or all of the springs 16 in order to vary the load capacity of the device. A friction damping mechanism for the spring group includes two wedges or friction shoes W which are mounted in an intermediate portion of the unit between the load supporting springs. The wedges W are urged by springs S into frictional engagement with surfaces on the bottom and top members as hereinafter described to snub oscillations of the load supporting springs.

The bottom member B is provided with a substantially fiat under surface 18 for engaging the spring seat of a railway car truck or a spring plank. The bottom member may be characterized as having a generally rectangular plate-shape and lugs 19 depend therefrom which are adapted to enter spaced holes in the spring seat of a railway car truck side frame or similarly spaced holes in a spring plank for the truck. The arcuate corner portions of the plate like bottom member are bounded by arcuate flanges 21 which extend upwardly from and strengthen the plate. The lower ends of the load supporting springs engage upper surfaces of the bottom member in the corner areas and these springs are retained in place by the arcuate flanges 21. Holes 22 are provided in the bottom plate in alignment with the open axes of the load supporting springs for the escape of debris, water and the like.

The end portions of the bottom member B which provide spring seats for the load supporting springs are connected by an intermediate portion which carries structural elements forming parts of the damping mechanism. This structure includes spaced walls 23 formed integral with the bottom plate and extending upwardly therefrom. These walls 23 are offset outwardly at 24 to accommodate a post P which depends from a central portion of the top member A. Upstanding ribs 25 join the ofiset portions of the walls 23 with the upstanding flange structure carried by the bottom member. The ribs 25 serve to further maintain the lower ends of the load supporting springs in position and' reinforce the bottom member.

The top edges of the ribs 25 slope upwardly as shown in Fig. 3 in proceeding from opposite ends of the device towards the offset portions 24 of the walls 23. The upper edges of the flanges 21 slope upwardly as indicated at 26 in Fig. 5 and merge with ends of the walls 23 to further strengthen the bottom member in the vicinity of 28 joins the other ends of the walls 23. The inclined:

.side of the post.

plates 27 and 28 serve to strengthen the bottom member in the region of the damping mechanism and sloping surfaces are provided on the under side of each of these plates for engagement by a portion of each of the friction shoes W. The under face 29 of the plate 27 slopes inwardly in proceeding upwardly as will be apparent upon a consideration of Fig. 6 while the under face 31 of the plate 28 slopes inwardly in proceeding upwardly.

A relatively narrow web 32 projects from the inner face of one wall 23 and this web is provided with an under surface 33 which is substantially parallel to the under surface 29 of the plate 27. The top portion of the web 32 is connected by means of a substantially horizontal rib 34 to the top of the plate 27. The rib 34 is integral with the associated wall 23. The lower end of the web 32 is connected to the plate'27 by means of a rib 36 which extends upwardly as shown in'Fig. 6. A similar inclined web 37 projects inwardly from the other wall 23 as best shown in Fig. 7. The under face 45 of the rib 37 is substantially parallel to the under face 29 of the plate 27. The top of the web 37 is joined with the top of theinclined plate element 27 by means of a sub stantially horizontal rib 38 which is also integral with the wall 23. An inclined rib 35 similar to the rib 36 connects the lower end of the web 37 with the lower portion of the inclined plate 27. It will be observed from a consideration of Figs. 4 and 7 that the inner edges of the inclined webs 32 and 37 and the inner edges of the ribs 34 and 38 and the inner edges of the ribs 36 and 35 are spaced from each other and provide an open area therebetween. This unobstructed area is provided for accommodating one of the springs S as hereinafter described. V

A similarly disposed pair of inclined webs are provided at the opposite side of the bottom member. One inclined web is shown at 39 in Figs. and 6. The under surface of the web 39 is substantially parallel with the under face 31 of the inclined plate 28. The web 39 is integral with the associated wall 23 and the upper portion is connected to the upper portion of the plate 28 by means of'a substantially horizontal rib 41. The lower end of the web 39 is connected to the lower end of the plate 28 by means of an upwardly extending rib 40. The other inclined auxiliary web 42 has an under surface which is substantially parallel to the inclined under face 31 of the plate 28. A substantially horizontal rib 44 (Fig. 4) connects the upper end of the web 42 with the top portion of the plate 28. The lower end of theweb 42 is connected to the wall 23 and to the plate 28 by means of a rib 46. The inner edges of the webs 39 and 42 and the inner edges of the ribs 41 and 44 and and.46 are spaced from each other to accommodate the other wedge actuating spring S therebetween.

A flange structure 51 depends from the perimeter of the plate portion of the top member A for reinforcing purposes and further serves to retain the upper ends of the load supporting springs Within the boundary of the top member. Holes 52 extend through the top plate and each is arranged generally in alignment with the axis of the load springs or the nest of load supporting springs. Lugs 53 extend upwardly from the'top member and are adapted to enter holes in the bolster. The post P carried by the top member is of rectangular constructionin cross section. The post includes end walls 54 and side walls 56. The outer surfaces of the side walls 56 are substantially parallel and provide vertical friction faces for engagement by flat faces of the friction shoes. The depending post P is formed integral with the top member and is closed at the upper end by means of the central portion 59 of the top plate. Two relatively large openings 61 and 62 are provided in the top member at each Depending ribs 63 connect the end walls 54 of the post with the flange structure 51 to strengthen the top member A and to provide abutments preventing lateral shifting of the load springs.

The two wedges or friction shoes W are of identical construction and one of the wedges is best shown in Figs. 12 to 15. A plate 66 forms a part of the shoe and has a flat face 67 extending throughout the width of the wedge. A centrally disposed angularly arranged plate 68 provides an inclined face 69 for engaging the under surface 29 of the plate 27 or under surface 31 of the plate 28. The plate 68 is disposed at an acute angle with reference to the plate 66. The top portion of the plate 68 is connected to the upper end portion of the plate 66 by means of a web 71 providing a spring seat 72 on the under side thereof for engagement by the upper end of a spring S. The two spaced ribs 73 reinforce the web 71 and merge with the top of the plate 66. The width of the inclined central plate 68 is slightly greater than the diameter of a wedge actuating spring S.

An auxiliary inclined plate 74 is provided at oneside of the centrally disposed plate 68 and another auxiliary inclined plate 76 is provided at the other side' thereof. The auxiliary plates 74 and 76 have inclined faces which are parallel to the surface 69 but the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 at their upper ends join the vertical plate 66 and form spaced apex portions on the friction shoe. The inclined surfaces provided by the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 are adaptedto engage the under surfaces of the webs 32 and 37 to provide for stabilization of the wedge against rotation during compression and release of the unit and thus prevent excessive wear of the damping unit. The auxiliary plate 76 is connected at its lower end by a tie bar 77 to the vertical plate 66. A similar tie bar 78 connects the lower end of the auxiliary plate 74 to the lower end portion of the plate 66. Space is provided between the tie bars 77 and 78 permitting the wedge actuating spring S to extend therebetween. Two spaced tie mem-.

bers 79 extend upwardly from the lower ends of the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 and join the central plate 68.

The webs 32 and 37 taper as shown at 81 in Fig. 7. The auxiliary web 39 and 42 taper similarly as shown in Fig. 8. The auxiliary plates 74 and 76 carried by each friction shoe W taper as indicated at 82 in Fig. 15. These tapered surfaces tend to maintain the friction wedges in center positions between the walls 23.

The lower end of the central plate 68 of each wedge W is formed with a hook 83 thereon for facilitating the assembly of the unit. The hook 83 may extend across the entire width of the plate 68. In assembling the device the wedge springs S are arranged in position with their lower ends over the spuds 84. The two wedges W are then arranged in position with the spring seat 72 of each wedge engaging the upper end of one of the springs S. A force is then applied to the top of each of the wedges to force them downwardly and to compress the springs S so that the friction shoes are then posi: tioned below the position shown in Fig. 2. A retaining pin 85 may then be applied in position between one hook 83 and the ribs 36 and 35 and the other pin 85 applied between the other hook 83 and the ribs 40 and 46. The pins 85 have a length which is slightly less than the space between the walls 23. The force holding the springs S compressed may then be released and the pins 85 hold the wedges in retracted position to permit the introduction of the remaining parts of the unit. The load supporting springs may then be arranged in position and the top member A applied thereover. The central post P then moves freely between the plates 66 of the retracted wedges W. The retaining pins 85 applied in Fig. 2 are for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the wedges areheld in retracted positions. In actual practi'ce the pins have a slightly larger diameter than those shown in Fig. 2 so that the surfaces 67 of the Wedges W are spaced from each other slightly greater than the transverse dimensions of the post P.

The top member A is provided with a lug 86 at each end thereof with an upward facing hook. A similar lug 87 is provided at each end of the bottom member vwith the hook portions facing downwardly. A wire loop such as shown at 88 in Fig. 17 or a metal strap such as shown at 89 in Fig. 18 having holes 91 in the ends thereof may be placed over the lugs 86 and 87 at each end of the unit to hold the elements in a precompressed assembled relationship. The retaining pins 85'may then be removed by applying force to the upper ends of the wedges W. Such downward movement of the wedges may be effected by the use of a pinch bar or by the use of load blocks applied through the holes 61 and 62 in the top member A. The wire loops 88 or the straps 89 retain the parts in assembled relationship during shipment and installation in the side frames of railway car trucks. The load imposed on the top member A by the bolster will partly compress the load supporting springs and the wire loops 88 or the metal straps 89 may then be removed.

The unit is then in condition for operation and the wedge actuating springs S urge the friction shoes W upwardly. The inclined surface 69 on one friction shoe engages the under surface 29 of the plate 27 and the inclined surface 69 of the other wedge engages the under surface 31 of the plate 28. The inclined auxiliary plates 74 and 76 of one friction shoe engage the under surfaces 33 and 45 of the auxiliary webs 32 and 37. The inclined surfaces of the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 of the other friction shoe engage the under surfaces of the auxiliary webs 39 and 42. The flat face 67 of each friction shoe is thereby urged into frictional engagement with the walls 56 of the post P. The tapering provided on the auxiliary webs shown in Figs. 7 and 8 cooperate with the inclined surfaces provided on the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 as shown in Fig. 15 to maintain each friction shoe in a center position in relation to the walls 23.

The surfaces carried by the auxiliary plates 74 and 76 of each friction shoe engage the inclined under surfaces 33 and 45 and similar under surfaces on the webs 39 and 44. The surface 69 on each wedge W engages the under surfaces of the plates 27 and 28 to provide stalizilation of the damping device. If simultaneous contact is not made between all of these surfaces as a result of minor variations in manufacture tolerances the clearance is small and a small amount of wear brings about contact between the staggered inclined surfaces which is in elfect across the full width of the wedge thereby minimizing any further wear on the friction surfaces. The vertical surfaces on the walls 56 of the post P are preferably heat treated and the relatively large openings 61 and 62 in the top plate adjacent these walls facilitate the heat treatment operation. These openings also permit the withdrawal of bolts when they are used to retract the wedges W when such implements are used as the unit is being assembled.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific structural characteristics and by reference to a top and bottom member it will be appreciated that the device may be inverted so that the top member engages the spring seat of a railway car truck or the spring plank and that the normal bottom member will then engage the under surface of the bolster. The unit may be so inverted without altering the operation of the damping mechanism. Other changes may be made in the details as well as the general organization and such modifications and others may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a first member, a second member, vertically disposed load supporting springs between the first and second members, a centrally disposed post extending from the first member having a friction face thereon, walls on the second member receiving said post therebetween, a horizontally disposed plate connecting said Walls having an-incl'med surface converging towards said friction face, a web carried by one wall having an inclined surface 'parallelto the first inclined surface, another web carried by the other wall having an inclined surface parallel to the first inclined surface, inner edges on said webs spaced from each other providing an unobstructed area between said plate and said friction face, a friction shoe having a face engaging the friction face of said post, a sloping central plate on said shoe engaging the first inclined surface, said friction shoe having a surface at each side ofsaid central plate displaced from the plane thereof and substantially parallel to the sloping plate respectively engaging the inclined surfaces of said webs, a coil spring disposed in said area compressed between the shoe and the second member urging the friction shoe into engagement with said inclined surfaces and into engagement with said friction face, and abutment means acting against the post preventing lateral shifting of the first member in response to the action of said friction shoe.

2. A package spring group and damping device comprising, a first member, a second member, vertically disposed load supporting springs between the first and second members, a centrally disposed post extending from the first member towards the second member, walls on the second member receiving said post therebetween, a flat vertical friction face on said post extending between said walls, a plate connecting said walls having an inclined surface converging towards said friction face, a web carried by one wall having an inclined surface parallel to the first inclined surface, another web carried by the other wall having an inclined surface parallel to the first inclined surface, ribs connecting the webs with said plate, inner edges on said webs and ribs spaced from each other providing an unobstructed area between said plate and said friction face, a wedge having a face extending substantially across the space between the walls engaging the friction face of said post, a sloping central plate on said wedge engaging the first inclined surface, said wedge having a surface at each side of said central plate displaced from the plane thereof and substantially parallel to the sloping plate respectively engaging the inclined surfaces of said webs, a spring compressed between the wedge and the second member urging the wedge into engagement with said inclined surfaces and into engagement with said friction face, a second vertical friction face on said post facing in a direction opposite to the first friction face, and a spring actuated wedge acting against the second vertical face.

3. A spring group and snubbing unit comprising, a top member, a bottom member, vertically disposed load supporting springs between said members, upstanding spaced substantially parallel transverse walls on said bottom member having outwardly offset intermediate portions, a post depending from said top member between the oilset portions of said walls, said post having a friction face of a width greater than the space between the walls, a horizontally disposed element connecting said walls having an under surface converging towards said friction face in proceeding upwardly, a web extending inwardly from one wall between the horizontal element and said post having an under surface converging towards said friction face in proceeding upwardly, another web extending inwardly from the other wall between said horizontal element and the post having an under surface converging towards said friction face in proceeding upwardly, ribs connecting the respective webs to said element, inner edges on said webs and said ribs spaced from each other providing an unobstructed area between said element and the post, a Wedge having a face engaging said friction face of the post substantially throughout the width between the Walls, a sloping central surface on said wedge engaging the under surface of said element, a sloping surface at each side of said central surface respectively engaging the under faces of said webs, a coil spring disposed in said unobstructed area compressed between the wedge and the bottom member urging the wedge upwardly into engagement with the under surface of said element and said webs and the face of the wedge in engagement with tionally engaging said post preventing lateral shifting thereof-in response to action of said wedge. t i

4. A combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a top member, a bottom member, vertically disposed load supporting springs between said members, spaced upstanding substantially parallel transverse walls on said bottom member, a centrally disposed post depending from said top member between said walls, said post having a vertical friction face, a horizontally dis- ,posed element connecting said walls having an under surface sloping towards said post in proceeding upwardly, a web carried by one Wall between said horizontal element and said post having an under surface sloping towards said friction face in proceeding upwardly, another web .carried by the other wall between said horizontal element and the post having an under surface sloping towards said friction face in proceeding upwardly, horizontal ribs connecting tops of the respective webs to top portions of said element, angular disposed ribs connecting lower ends of the webs to said element, inner edges on said Webs and said ribs spaced from each other providing an unobstructedarea between said element and the post, a

wedge having a face engaging said friction face of the .post, a sloping central plate on said Wedge engaging the under surface of said element, a sloping surface at each side of said central plate respectively engaging the under faces of said webs, a coil spring disposed in said unobstructed areacompressed between the wedge and the bottom member urging the wedge upwardly, abutment means preventing lateral shifting of said post in response to action of said Wedge and a hook carried by a lower .portion of said central plate adjacent said angular ribs.

web extending inwardly from the other wall between said horizontal element and the post having an under surface converging upwardly towards said face, the under surface of each web being inclined upwardly in proceeding laterally inwardly from the associated wall, inner edges on said Webs spaced from each other providing an unobstructed area between said element and the post, a friction shoe having a face engaging said friction face, a sloping central surface on said shoe engaging the under surface of said element, a sloping surface at each side of I said central surface inclined downwardly in proceeding laterally outwardly respectively engaging the under surfaces of said webs, a coil spring disposed in said unobstructed area compressed between the shoe and the bottom member, a second vertical friction face on said post facing in a direction opposite to the first friction face, and a spring actuated wedge frictionally engaging the second friction face.

6. A bottom member for a'combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially rectangulajr shaped member having arcuate corners, spaced upstanding walls extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said member, an inclined plate connecting said walls at one side of said member, a second inclined plate connecting said walls at the other side of said member, said plates havingupwardly converging under surfaces thereon, a pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of one of said inclined plates with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, another pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of the second inclined plate with inner edges thereof spaced from each other,

means connecting a top portion of each of said webs with a top. portion of the'associated plate, and meanstconne'cting-lower portions of said webs with the associated plate.

7. A bottom member for a combined spring group'and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially rectangular shaped member having arcuate corners, spaced upstanding walls extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said member, an inclined plate connecting said walls at one side of said member, a second inclined plate connecting said walls at the other side of said member, said plates having under surfaces which converge in proceeding upwardly, a pair of inclined webs carried by' the walls inwardly of one of said inclined plates with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, another pair of inclined webs carried by the Walls inwardly ofthe second inclined plate with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, horizontal ribs connecting top portions of said webs With top portions of the associated plate, and angular ribs connecting lower portions of said Webs with lower portions of the associated plate.

8. A bottom member for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially rectangular shaped member having arcuate corners, spaced upstandingrwalls extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said member, an inclined plate connecting said Walls at one side of said member, a second inclined plate connecting said walls at the other side of said member, said plates having under surfaces which converge in proceeding upwardly, a pair of inclined Webs carried by the walls inwardly of one of said inclined plates with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, another pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of the second inclined plate with innerredges thereof spaced from each other, horizontal ribs connecting top portions of said webs with top portions of the associated plate, angular ribs connecting lower portions of said webs with lower portions of the associated plate, and a spring seat on the upper surface of said member between vertical planes defined by sinner edges of said webs.

9. A bottom member for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially rectangular shaped member having arcuate corners, spaced upstanding walls extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said member, an inclined plate connecting said walls at one side of said member, a second inclined plate connecting said Walls at the other side of said member, said plates having under surfaces converging towards each other in proceeding upwardly, a pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of one of said inclined plates with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, another pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of the second inclined plate with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, an under surface of each Web substantially parallel to the associated plate, and the under surface of each web being inclined upwardly in proceeding laterally inwardly from the associated wall.

10. A wedge for a damping mechanism comprising, a substantially vertical plate, a second centrally disposed plate diverging in a single plane from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly with the second plate disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plate, a web joining an upper end portion of the second plate with an upper portion of the first plate, an auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally of the second plate and diverging from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of the'first plate, a second auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally at the other side of the second plate diverging from the vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of said vertical plate, means joining lateral portions of the first plate with each auxiliary plate, means connecting said second plate with each auxiliary plate, and a spring seat surface on an under face of said web.

11. A wedge for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially vertical plate, a second centrally disposed plate diverging in a single plane from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly with the second plate disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plate, a web joining an upper end portion of the second plate with an upper portion of the first plate, an auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally of the second plate and diverging from sail vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of the first plate, a second auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally at the other side of the second plate diverging from the vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of said vertical plate, means joining lateral portions of the first plate with each auxiliary plate, means connecting said second plate with each auxiliary plate, a spring seat surface on an under face of said web, and the upper surface of each auxiliary plate sloping downwardly in proceeding laterally towards its outer edge.

12. A wedge for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially vertical plate, a second centrally disposed plate diverging in a single plane from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly with the second plate disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plate, a web joining an upper portion of the second plate with an upper portion of the first plate, an auxiliary plate arranged laterally of said central plate disposed substantially parallel thereto and forming an apex with upper end of the first plate, a second auxiliary plate arranged laterally at the other side of the second plate disposed substantially parallel thereto and forming an apex with the upper end of said Vertical plate, means joining an edge of the first plate with each auxiliary plate, means connecting the auxiliary plates with said central plate, a spring seat on an under face of said web, and a hook carried by the lower end of said second plate.

13. A bottom member for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially rectangular shaped member, spaced upstanding walls extending transversely of an intermediate portion of said member, an inclined plate connecting said walls at one side of said member, a second inclined plate connecting said walls at the other side of said member, said plates having upwardly converging under surfaces thereon, a

.pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of one of said inclined plates with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, under surfaces on said webs parallel to the under surface of the associated plate, a second pair of inclined webs carried by the walls inwardly of the second inclined plate with inner edges thereof spaced from each other, and under surfaces on the second pair of webs parallel to the under surface of the associated plate.

14. A wedge for a combined spring group and damping mechanism comprising, a substantially vertical plate, a second centrally disposed plate diverging in a single plane from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly with the second plate disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plate, a web joining an upper end porticn of the second plate with an upper portion of the first plate, an auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally of the second plate and diverging from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of the first plate, and a second auxiliary plate parallel to and disposed laterally at the other side of the second plate diverging from the vertical plate in proceeding downwardly and forming an apex with the upper end of said vertical plate.

15. A wedge for a damping mechanism comprising, a substantially vertical plate, a centrally disposed plate diverging from said vertical plate in proceeding downwardly at an acute angle with respect to the first plate, said central plate having an outer face in a single plane, an auxiliary plate at each end of said central plate merging with an upper end of said vertical plate, a substantially horizontal web joining a top portion of the central plate with the top portion of the vertical plate, means connecting edges of said auxiliary plates with edges of said vertical plate, means connecting edge portions of the central plate with the respective auxiliary plates, and a spring seat on an under surface of said web in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the vertical plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,556 Flesch Sept. 15, 1942 2,652,002 Clasen Sept. 15, 1953 2,657,039 Flesch Oct. 27, 1953 2,695,167 Ramos et al Nov. 23, 1954 

